LINCOLN PARK — A farm-to-table restaurant that will incorporate a retail shop is preparing to open on Armitage Avenue in late October.
Blue Door Farm Stand, a concept by Chicago investor Fred Latsko and named after his farm, plans on purchasing the majority of its goods from local farms and farmers' markets.
The 2,000-square-foot restaurant at 843 W. Armitage Ave. will also source some products from the restaurant's namesake Blue Door Farm in Indiana, which was once owned by Oprah Winfrey.
"It's something the neighborhood has needed. There's a lot going on on Halsted with the restaurants, but nothing on Armitage," said Olivia Zaski, Blue Door's chef and general manager.
The farmhouse-style restaurant will feature Intelligentsia coffee and Mighty Leaf tea and serve pastries, gourmet small plates, soups, salads and sandwiches.
The restaurant will have counter service and will include two retail areas: a gourmet foods area with items such as preserves, confections and pickles; and a home goods and gifts section with ceramics, linens, glassware and cookbooks.
"I think it's perfect to be tucked in there with all of the boutiques," Zaski said. "It's a great place to come whether you want to dine in or get something quick."
The menu will also include small batch and sustainable wines and Midwestern craft beers.
Blue Door will have seating for about 40 people.
"We really want to be that go-to neighborhood place to get fresh, healthy, locally sourced food," Zaski said.
Zaski has been developing direct relationships with a number of Midwestern farms to ensure she and her customers know where the items on the menu came from.
The restaurant's hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
